The five starting positions up for grabs on Raiders

Maurice Jones-Drew is planning on beating out Darren McFadden for the starting running back job.

The Raiders wrap up their first week of offseason practice today and while the coaches love to talk of competition, there actually aren’t that many starting jobs up for grabs.
Oakland brought in or traded for nine veterans who they expect to start *(see bottom), plus it then drafted outside linebacker Khalil Mack, who everyone expects to be an impact player.
Here is a quick look at the five spots that should be fun to watch at training camp this summer:1. Tight end: David Ausberry, the big former receiver, has never really advanced beyond “intriguing project” his first three years. Last year was a complete wash because of a shoulder injury. He is back now, and starts off the offseason practices as the No. 1 tight end — largely because the coaches still don’t know what they have behind him.
Mychal Rivera had 38 catches for 407 yards his rookie year and coach Dennis Allen thinks he is a possible foundation piece because of his ball-catching skills. But he doesn’t block all that well, which was the reason since-departed Jeron Mastrud started all of last season. Second-year TE Nick Kasa might be the best blocker of the bunch, while darkhorse Brian Leonhardt — who was on the practice squad all of last season — might have the best combination-upside of blocking and catching skills at this point.2. Left guard: When you draft a guard in the third round, he is expected to start. Gabe Jackson will have every opportunity to do that, if he can beat out veteran Khalif Barnes. Barnes moved over from tackle at the end of last season, and handled himself pretty well. He is a great teammate who will push and help Jackson. Barnes’ ability to play guard and tackle, and Kevin Boothe’s experience at guard and center make them ideal backups next season.3. Running back: Maurice Jones-Drew is in great shape and would love to make Jacksonville look bad for letting him go. Many around the league think he is an old 29 and that won’t happen. Jones-Drew and Darren McFadden, back after another disappointing injury-plagued season, are both primed to compete at training camp. The coaches would love to use both to keep the other fresh and healthy, and the loser of the competition should still get 10 touches a game. The Raiders are going to run the ball a lot this season behind a big offensive line.4. No. 2 receiver: Veteran James Jones (60-800-9 average last two years in Green Bay) is the No. 1 guy by default, though fourth-year player Denarius Moore still has the big-play potential to be that guy. He has to become more consistent, and will be battling Rod Streater and Andre Holmes for playing time. The 6-foot-4 Holmes showed a nice ability to go up for the ball last season, and the Raiders are excited about him taking the next step. Recently-signed Greg Little is also in the mix, if he left his dropsies ailment behind in Cleveland.5. Defensive tackle: Antonio Smith, a former defensive end signed from Houston, will miss most of the offseason program after an unspecified weight-room incident and surgery. That puts both Pat Sims and second-year player Stacy McGee on the first team for now, and they have a chance to stay there. Sims played very well down the stretch last season, and is surprised to be back after he got very little attention on the free-agent market. McGee, who put some college off-field issues behind him and showed some nice burst, is another one of last year’s draft picks that the coaching staff is very excited about.
The next post will look at the four positions that Allen hopes are not an issue at training camp — outside linebacker, right tackle, cornerback and backup quarterback.(* The nine players the Raiders brought in to start: quarterback Matt Schaub, Jones-Drew, Jones, tackle Donald Penn, guard Austin Howard, defensive ends Justin Tuck and LaMarr Woodley, Smith and cornerback Tarell Brown.)